|
An Explanation of the Flowchart Illustrating the Relationships
of the Peace Corps and the National Peace Corps Association
(View Chart)
This chart is an attempt to put into perspective the various organizations and agencies described in the Pathfinders for the Peace Corps and for the National Peace Corps Association. The arrows are to indicate the origins of, and the direct relationships to the various other organizations. Four independent organizations are also shown.
I. Peace Corps (PC)
a. A US Government agency that screens, trains, assigns and supports Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs) in countries around the world.
b. Any US citizen, 18 years or older, may volunteer to join the Peace Corps.
c. RPCVs (Returned Peace Corps Volunteers) are all PC Volunteers who have finished a tour in another country. The double arrow is to show that some Volunteers extend during their tour, volunteer for another tour following, or at a later time. Participation by RPCVs in any organizations or activities after they return home, is all voluntary. (see dotted lines on flowchart)
d. Crisis Corps: An auxiliary program of the Peace Corps comprised of RPCVs serving short terms in foreign countries to assist in “crisis” situations.
e. UN Volunteers: Application process is thru the Peace Corps as though becoming a PCV. Peace Corps agrees to co-sponsor candidates if accepted for an assignment. The application then goes to the UN for processing & placement on a roster of potential candidates, including candidates from over 140 countries.
II. National Peace Corps Association (NPCA)
a. Organization open to all RPCVs, Peace Corps staff and friends. It is designed to fulfill the Peace Corps 3rd goal of bringing “the world” back to the US.
b. Within the U.S., local “affiliate” groups are organized by:
1. Country of service: “Friends of….”
2. Geographic locale: within any city, state, region, etc.
3. Nationwide Groups: Lesbian, Gay & Bisexual RPCVs; RPCVs for Environment & Development; American Jewish World Service RPCV Action Group; etc.
c. Associate groups are non-members organizations that share the NPCA’s mission of advancing the third goal of the Peace Corps:
1. Peace Corps Writers: an online literary magazine that promotes the writings of RPCVs with regular features, reviews, interviews, news of PC writers, books, etc. [http://www.peacecorpswriters.org/]
2. Committee for a Museum of the Peace Corps Experience
3. Returned Peace Corps Volunteers for International Health
III. Other RPCV Efforts:
a. Peace Corps Encore is an organization for RPCVs who wish to serve again on a limited term basis utilizing their “professional” skills. Not affiliated with the Peace Corps; funded by host countries, agencies, NGOs, etc. [http://www.peacecorpsencore.org/home.cfm]
b. Peace Corps Online: “An independent news forum serving RPCVs.” “PCOL is not affiliated with the Peace Corps” [http://www.peacecorpsonline.org]
c. Peace Corps 2: “…the contents of this website belongs to the groups members, and do reflect any positions or policy of the U.S. government or the Peace Corps. [http://groups.yahoo.com/group/peacecorps2]. Contents appear to be communications among potential Peace Corps members awaiting their acceptance, with some input from those assigned and some from returned volunteers. A free place to “vent”, to gather information, to express anxieties, and/or to make new friends.
d. Fallen Peace Corps Volunteers Memorial Project. An internet memorial remembering those Peace Corps Volunteers and staff who have died in service. Each is listed, with country, by year of death. Names are linked to pages with photos and/or information about the volunteer. The project is not Peace Corps sponsored. [http://www.fpcv.org/]